The Garden State's new Risk Pool - like those in other states - requires one to have been uninsured for at least six months in order to be eligible. The plans are age-rated, and come in two flavors, neither of which, apparently, are palatable to New Jersey residents who might otherwise qualify.

This should come as no surprise; as we noted long ago, folks are reluctant to sign up for these kinds of plans, even when they're free, let alone upwards of $800 per month. And it's not for lack of interest:

"[M]ore than 600 applications were downloaded and 268 information kits were sent out" once the plan went online at the beginning of the month. Yet only two such plans were actually purchased.

Let me repeat that: only two such plans were actually purchased.

While it may be a surprise to gummint types, we agents have known all along that insurance is rarely purchased: it is sold. Of course, this point is lost on the folks in DC (and state capitals).

Gee, wouldn't it be nice if there was some existing distribution channel to help folks make this purchase?

The Garden State's new Risk Pool - like those in other states - requires one to have been uninsured for at least six months in order to be eligible. The plans are age-rated, and come in two flavors, neither of which, apparently, are palatable to New Jersey residents who might otherwise qualify.

This should come as no surprise; as we noted long ago, folks are reluctant to sign up for these kinds of plans, even when they're free, let alone upwards of $800 per month. And it's not for lack of interest:

"[M]ore than 600 applications were downloaded and 268 information kits were sent out" once the plan went online at the beginning of the month. Yet only two such plans were actually purchased.

Let me repeat that: only two such plans were actually purchased.

While it may be a surprise to gummint types, we agents have known all along that insurance is rarely purchased: it is sold. Of course, this point is lost on the folks in DC (and state capitals).

Gee, wouldn't it be nice if there was some existing distribution channel to help folks make this purchase?